“A Lloyd’s insurance syndicate has begun a landmark legal case [filed on September 8, 2011] against Saudi Arabia, accusing the kingdom of indirectly funding al-Qa’ida and demanding the repayment of £136m it paid out to victims of the 9/11 attacks. The Brighton-based Lloyd’s 3500 syndicate, which paid $215m compensation to companies and individuals involved, alleges that the oil-rich Middle Eastern superpower bears primary responsibility for the atrocity because al-Qa’ida was supported by banks and charities acting as ‘agents and alter egos’ for the Saudi state. The detailed case, which names a number of prominent Saudi charities as well as a leading member of the al-Saud royal family, will cause embarrassment to the Saudi government, which has long denied claims that Osama bin Laden’s organisation received official financial and practical support from his native country.” [Editor’s note: The lawsuit was withdrawn without prejudice on September 19, 2011.]
– Cahal Milmo, “Lloyd’s Insurer Sues Saudi Arabia for ‘funding 9/11 attacks,'” The Independent, Sep. 19, 2011